Main Entry: suf·fer

Pronunciation: \ˈsə-fər\

Function: verb

Inflected Form(s): suf·fered; suf·fer·ing \-f(ə-)riŋ\

Etymology: Middle English suffren, from Anglo-French suffrir, from Vulgar Latin *sufferire, from Latin sufferre, from sub- up + ferre to bear — more at sub-, bear

Date: 13th century

transitive verb 1 a : to submit to or be forced to endure <suffer martyrdom> b : to feel keenly : labor under <suffer thirst>
2 : undergo, experience
3 : to put up with especially as inevitable or unavoidable
4 : to allow especially by reason of indifference <the eagle suffers little birds to sing — Shakespeare>intransitive verb 1 : to endure death, pain, or distress
2 : to sustain loss or damage
3 : to be subject to disability or handicap

synonyms see bear

— suf·fer·able \ˈsə-f(ə-)rə-bəl\ adjective

— suf·fer·able·ness noun

— suf·fer·ably \-blē\ adverb

— suf·fer·er \ˈsə-fər-ər\ noun